During storms, tree limbs have been known to sever power lines and disrupt access to electricity across entire cities as shown in this June 21, 2011 photo. Many trees and branches were downed and power disrupted during a mid-afternoon severe thunderstorm in the Valley Avenue and Edgewood areas of Homewood. (The Birmingham News/Mark Almond)

HOMEWOOD, Alabama -- Alabama Power Company has agreed to temporarily halt tree and brush-trimming operations in Homewood following a slew of complaints from both community residents and city officials.

Ward 4 Place 1 City Councilwoman Jenifer Champ Wallis, who met privately with Alabama Power on Friday, May 24 to express the concerns of her constituents, likened the extent of the recent tree-trimmings to the kind of devastation caused by Mother Nature.

Wallis said both she and her constituents understood the importance of trimming greenery in close proximity to the company's power lines, but did not agree with the extent to which it was done.

"Instead of just trimming," said Wallis, "they have come in and cut the trees all the way to the ground."

The areas affected, she said, look as if "a tornado has come through."

Following their meeting last week, Wallis confirmed to AL.com that the power company had not only agreed to temporarily halt trimming operations, but had also agreed to help re-landscape some of the more severely-impacted areas. Of particular concern to her, she said, were the highly visible areas along Oxmoor Road. Re-landscaping work there, she said, would hopefully begin as early as next week.

"I'm happy that the city and Alabama Power were able to work so well together," said Wallis after the meeting. "I look forward to seeing what they plan to do from here on out."

Mayor Scott McBrayer, who also met with Alabama Power representatives last week, said the work will not resume until the company can convene with the rest of the city council and hear their concerns. Their Thursday, May 23 meeting centered on a clarification of individual, yet complementary goals, said McBrayer.

"Alabama Power wants to ensure the city receives safe, reliable electricity," he said. "We, as the city of Homewood, want that as well, but we also want to protect the aesthetics of our city."

At the conclusion of their meeting, McBrayer said he felt confident both the power company and the city were now on the same page.

"I'm happy to say that they are now working with us," said McBrayer, despite the "temporary hiccups" he said he felt at the beginning of last week.

Alabama Power representatives were scheduled to attend the city council meeting on Monday, May 20 as per the night's agenda, but informed McBrayer that they would not be present "shortly before the meeting was called to order," according to the mayor.

In their absence, the Homewood City Council unanimously approved a resolution expressing their "displeasure" with Alabama Power's "refusal" to meet with representatives of the City Council and the Mayor regarding its current handling of tree and brush removal in the city. The resolution also called for Alabama Power to immediately cease tree cutting within the city until current and future practices could be discussed with Homewood's residents and council.

Alabama Power Spokesman Ike Pigott said last week that the company's absence from Monday night's meeting came down to a matter of logistics.

"You can perhaps chalk this up to some type of miscommunication," said Pigott.

It was not clear to company representatives, he said, that they were expected to be at the council meeting on Monday night.

The resolution came as a "surprise" said Pigott. Following its adoption, Alabama Power understood the extent of Homewood's displeasure and began work to help alleviate concerns.

Alabama Power, he said, remains open and willing to speak with anyone who wishes to express their concerns with or who has questions about the ongoing process.

"We are not purposefully ducking away from speaking with anyone who has concerns about the work we are doing," said Pigott. "We are still reaching out to all the councilmembers. We will talk to anyone who wants to speak with us because I think we have a good story to tell with regard to what we are doing and why we are doing it."

The company, he said, had done everything in its power to communicate with residents that would have been affected by the tree-trimming. The company had worked to send notices (see below, top flyer only), said Pigott, and had also tried to ensure that before any work began, crews had been sent out individual homes to explain what the contractors had been asked to do.

In an email exchange with AL.com following the company's private meetings with city officials, Pigott explained that now--as is the case with any other Alabama Power customer--the company will work to educate the city on what types of plants and landscapes work more appropriately in areas near power lines.

According to information on Alabama Power's website, the growth of large trees near power lines is dangerous because, in the event that a branch touches the lines, the tree could become charged with electricity. In wet weather, the electric current can be carried through the tree to the ground. During storms, tree limbs have been known to sever power lines and disrupt access to electricity across entire cities.

For more safety information provided in an Alabama Power safety brochure, click here.